Highlights: Four Seasons Resort Whistler

•Four Seasons Resort Whistler is located at the base of Blackcomb Mountain, a mere five-minute walk to the ski lifts and a 10-minute stroll to the village center

•The setting, combined with fine architecture, art, furnishings, food and services, makes this one of Canada’s best mountain resorts

•Guest rooms are spacious, beautifully furnished and decorated

•The dining room and lounge, Fifty Two 80, delight with flavorful food and an extensive wine list and specialty cocktails

•The spa offers plenty of relaxation through its eucalyptus steam room and 15 treatment areas

Amenities: Four Seasons Resort Whistler

• 273 rooms, 3 story. Pets accepted, some restrictions. Check-in 3 pm, check-out 11 am. High-speed Internet access. Restaurant, bar. Children's activity center. Fitness room, fitness classes available, spa. Outdoor pool, three whirlpools. Airport transportation available. Business center. Credit cards accepted.

General Impressions: Four Seasons Resort Whistler

Four Seasons Resort Whistler in Whistler, British Columbia, has been chosen as the site for nordic and alpine skiing events in the 2010 Winter Olympics. And with reason: many skiers from around the globe name Whistler/Blackcomb as their preferred playground. The spring, summer, and fall seasons bring golfers, fishermen, boaters, river rafters, bikers, hikers, bungee jumpers, wildlife watchers, zipliners, and an assortment of other outdoor enthusiasts.

The village is about a two-hour drive north from Vancouver, along the Sea-To-Sky Highway. Getting there is half the fun, as the road follows Howe Sound (a glacially-formed fjord) up to dramatic vistas of British Columbia’s Coastal Range and the eternal snows that cap their peaks. Expect driving delays during the next few years as the winding highway is upgraded to accommodate the crowds coming in 2010. Good train service also runs between Vancouver and Whistler.

The Four Seasons Resort Whistler is far enough away from village center for secluded serenity, yet close enough to get to by foot; some of the best ski slopes on the continent are right outside the door. The architecture is “rustic modern”-- a brilliant blend of West Coast, European, and Asian influences, featuring natural local grey stone, artistically combined with polished woods. A stunning sculptured metal screen of delicate interwoven tree branches, reminiscent of the nearby forest, separates the small lobby (on the second floor) from the staircase down to the bistro/bar, shops, and meeting rooms. There’s ample indoor parking with valet service available.

Travelers doing business in the region find Four Seasons Resort Whistler a practical place to stay, but this is a resort, so most business visitors here are attending a conference or convention in the hotel meeting rooms.

With fireplaces everywhere, the hotel is a lovely hideaway for a honeymoon or other romantic interlude. The entire village and valley is popular with the young and the young-at-heart who love the variety outdoor activities and the lively social scene.

But the resort mostly attracts families who want an adventurous travel experience. The Four Seasons Resort Whistler Kids for All Seasons program gives ski and snowboard lessons for children and organizes evening activities so Mom and Pop can go out on the town. The Kids for All Seasons program also offers various activities and adventures for youngsters, such as canoeing down the River of Golden Dreams. And the hotel’s extensive Kids On The Go menu offers veggie sticks, cheese sandwiches and the Gummie Bears, among other kid-friendly menu items.

(+) Located near some of the best ski slopes on the continent, and a summer paradise for outdoor lovers

Guest Services: Four Seasons Resort Whistler

Four Seasons hotels around the world are famous for fine service and the Whistler property follows suit. I received a warm welcome from the front desk clerk, and friendly smiles followed me everywhere. Many young people come to the resort to work, so your server might be from Squamish right down the road, or from Australia, Colombia, or even Nepal.

When I asked the concierge where I could walk my dog without worrying about black bears, he took time to tell me where there were safe walking trails and how to handle a bear if we met one (the bears usually hibernate in winter).

I requested an emery board from housekeeping to repair a broken fingernail; it was delivered right away, along with manicure scissors, in a lovely silvery case. I sent my shoes for a complimentary shine and they came back looking like new again.

Housekeeping services were immaculate and efficient. So were all other services, except for one dinner when it took a great deal of time for food to arrive. This one glitch, in an otherwise smooth and seamless stay, resulted in personal apologies from the restaurant manager, the food and beverage manager, and the checkout clerk.

(+) Staff generally went above and beyond to ensure superior service

Guest Rooms: Four Seasons Resort Whistler

Four Seasons Resort Whistler has 273 guest rooms, including 95 suites. All are spacious and modern rustic, with tones of beige, ochre, and light brown blending with rich dark wood. The result is an ambience of exquisite comfort and luxury.

Guest rooms have gas fireplaces, walk-in closets, a round table by the window for working and/or dining, and most have balconies overlooking the long valley and surrounding mountains. I liked the dark wood Venetian blinds in lieu of drapes. Beds have down duvets and pillows, and non-allergenic pillows are available on request. Technology amenities include dual line phones, and 27-inch flatscreen TVs combined with CD and DVD players.

My bathroom was spacious, with a soaking tub, a glass-enclosed shower, and double basins; the toilet was in a separate alcove, European-style. The walls and floor were covered with beautiful limestone slab tiles in soft earthy shades of brown and grey. The gently fragrant L’Occitane amenities came in bottles big enough to last all week. The white terrycloth bathrobe was a bit bulky, but the matching slippers were especially comfortable.

Aside from the guest room I stayed in, Four Seasons Resort Whistler also has three townhouses, each with two bedrooms plus a den with a pullout sofa, full kitchen and dining facilities, and a private hot tub on the balcony -- wonderful for stargazing! The two Presidential Suites have three bedrooms, a 42-inch plasma TV and entertainment center in the living room, and expansive views of the swimming pool backdropped by Blackcomb Mountain.

(+) Guest rooms are exceptionally livable and luxurious, and housekeeping services are top-of-the-line

Facilities & Activities: Four Seasons Resort Whistler

Beside the heated outdoor pool and three whirlpools, The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Whistler, with its eucalyptus steam room and 15 treatment areas, welcomes guests during or after a day of play. A variety of massages, manicures, pedicures, and facials are available. The Fitness Studio houses treadmills, stair climbers, elliptical cross-trainers, stationary bikes, and weight-training equipment. There’s a separate studio for yoga, Pilates, meditation, stretching, and spinning.

People come to the resort for the refreshing alpine air, the splendid mountain scenes, the abundance of outdoor activity, and the lively social scene. Skiers like the Four Seasons Resort Whistler because of its luxury and its convenient location at the base of Blackcomb Mountain: you can park your car and forget about winter driving. During the other seasons, you can walk across the road to tennis courts and a championship golf course, rent bikes at the front door, and find walking/hiking/biking trails winding through forests of cedar, spruce, and fir a few minutes away.

For those needing a little respite from skiing or golfing, there are plenty of other things to do nearby. A host of unique shops and upscale boutiques in Whistler Village, Blackcomb/Upper Village, Village North, and Nester’s Market are all within walking distance. Another shopping possibility, Creekside, is a 10-minute drive.

Many art galleries are just a short stroll from the resort. So is the Whistler Museum, where you can learn about the local history, and the Maurice Young Millennium Place, where you can take in a concert or even a lecture.

Local nightlife possibilities include the popular Tommy Africa’s, catering to the youthful 18-22ish crowd; Maxx Fish, a music venue that attracts 20-somethings; and Savage Beagle, frequented by 30-somethings attracted to its wide array of beers and specialty cocktails.

(+) The Whistler valley and mountains are a spectacular playground for adventure-seekers of all ages

Dining & Lounge: Four Seasons Resort Whistler

In addition to 24-hour room service and anytime take-away lunch boxes, the resort has a restaurant/bar, named Fifty Two 80 for the vertical feet (one mile) you can ski on Blackcomb Mountain. The décor is contemporary rustic, highlighted by black and green onyx, warm nickel finishes and stonework. The adjacent terrace, with gas heaters for fall and spring, borders a waterfall, pond and garden. Although the menu features seasonal specialties, the cuisine is varied. Portions are generous, and the food is delicious.

Lunch service was a delight -- courteous and efficient with attention to every detail. Dinner was not quite the same experince: the crab cakes and chicken curry with rice were delicious, but service was slow. The bistro manager offered apologies, the food and beverage manager phoned my room the following morning and apologized, and during checkout, the desk clerk also apologized for this misstep in an otherwise flawless experience.

(+) The setting, food, and lunch service were fantastic

Business Services: Four Seasons Resort Whistler

If you must work, the business center and multilingual concierge can assist you around the clock. Services offered include computers, printers, delivery, fax, photocopying, and secretarial and translation services.

The resort is also able to handle business conferences, both large (up to 350 for a reception, 180 for a classroom-setting) and small, with its ballroom and seven meeting rooms or spaces (one located outdoors). All guest rooms and most meeting spaces are equipped with high-speed Internet access, and guest rooms also have dual-line telephones.

(+) Plenty of support services offered to business travelers